Below are the Hong Kong Public Holidays for 2012, take note when renting or buying a property in Hong Kong, a contract is formed and payments of rents or deposits need be made on or before specific dates or else penalties and contract rescindment can occur. So when signing a tenancy or a sales agreement, other than the 5 day clearing week for banks, you should be aware of the up and coming Public Holidays and avoid these dates for settlements and signing of contracts.

Hong Kong Public Holidays for 2012 -

Chinese Festivals

It is well worth the effort to join in on one of the major festivals listed below and experience part of the culture while living in Hong Kong. Many of these festivals are a public holiday and the events make it a great excuse to get out of the apartment, but note that the Festival dates will vary every calendar year due to these festivals being based on the Lunisolar Chinese Calendar. If you are interested be sure to check the dates in advance if you wish to join the celebrations or rituals.

Chinese New Year (January/February), 3 days Public Holiday

Based on the Chinese calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year between January the 21st and February the 20th. The Chinese New Year is the most celebrated and highly anticipated festival in Hong Kong, fittingly the first 3 days of the lunar month is a general public Holiday. Preparations for the festival and the coming of the New Year will be well underway, with house cleaning, new clothing, hair-cuts, decorating of items that represent lucky omens and seasonal flowers which can be found at many ad-hoc flower markets. The Chinese celebrations in the period before and after the New Years day are mostly a family orientated affair with many “get together” dinners, making it one of the busiest times for restaurants in Hong Kong. On the day of the New Year in Hong Kong you can look forward to a Night Parade welcoming the new zodiac year and then spectacular fireworks the following night. During these festive times “Red Pockets” or “Lucky Money” will be passed around from wedded couples and employers to ward off evil spirits and to give and receive luck and good fortune for the rest of the year.

Spring Lantern Festival  (February/March)

The Spring Lantern Festival, also known as the Chinese Valentine’s day, is on the 15th day of the Chinese Calendar, marking the end of the celebrations of the New Year. Bright and colourful Chinese Lanterns decorate flower markets, parks, and romantic spots, with some places offering lanterns with traditional word games for inquisitive couples. Traditionally rice dumplings, a delicious Chinese dessert is eaten on this day, so to fully enjoy this festival try some Chinese rice dumplings after a romantic lantern lit stroll.

Ching Ming Festival (March/April), Public holiday

Ching Ming, usually occurring around the 5th of April every year, denotes the coming of Spring and the tending of graves for the departed. On this day families pay their respects to ancestors and relatives that have passed away, with traditional rites including the sweeping of graves with willow branches, offerings of food and drinks, and the burning of incense and paper money. It is a solemn time for remembrance and praying to the deceased for their blessings.

Tin Hau Festival (April/May)

Taken place on the 23rd day of the third month in Chinese the lunar calendar, the Tin Hau festival is a tribute to the birthday of the Taoist patron god of the sea. On this day there are loud and colourful celebrations in the sea faring areas of Hong Kong, notably in Sai Kung which is located in the Northern Territories and has the City’s largest Tin Hau Temple.

Buddha’s Birthday (April/May), Public Holiday

A reserved celebration of Buddha’s birthday in accordance to the lunar calendar, on this day Buddha statues in monasteries all over Hong Kong are given a bath, with popular ceremonies held in the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island and the Temple of the 10,000 Buddha’s in Shatin, New Territories.

Cheung Chau Festival (April/May)

A colourful and exciting Chinese festival held on the island of Cheung Chau, the start of the festival coincides with the birthday of Buddha and lasts for 7 days. During 3 of the 7 days, the whole community of Cheung Chau will become vegetarians, and even the Mc Donald’s of the Island will serve vegetarian burgers. The festival climaxes with the infamous Cheung Chau Bun climb, where athletes scramble up a structure covered with celebratory buns in an effort to grab the prized buns at the top.

Tuen Ng Festival (May/June) Public Holiday

Tuen Ng Festival also known as the dragon boat festival is celebrated in Hong Kong with many dragon boat racing competitions and is a common time to eat glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. The dragon boat races offer an exciting spectacle in the summer heat with the sport growing in participants worldwide.

Hungry Ghost Festival (August/September)

For the whole of the 7th Lunar Month, starting mostly in August, traditional belief is that the gates of hell will be open and ghosts will be free to roam among the living. On the 15th day of the month a ghost Festival is held in some Chinese communities but is seldom seen in Hong Kong. During this month a common sight in Hong Kong will be people burning offerings to ancestors and deceased relatives or just to appease wayward spirits.

Mid-Autumn Festival (September/October), Public Holiday

Also known as the Moon Festival this day celebrates a traditional harvest season and is when Moon Cakes are eaten and are commonly presented as gifts to family and friends. According to a legend, eating Moon Cakes were made into a national tradition in the 14th century, when they were used in a successful plot to over throw the ruling Mongols by having secret messages imbedded inside.

Chung Yeung Festival (September/October), Public Holiday

Chung Yeung Festival is similar to Ching Ming, a remembrance day for the deceased, and on this day similar rituals of respect is paid. Chung Yeung is also a day for Hiking, homage to a legend describing how a soothsayer saved a man’s family by telling him to climb to higher ground, climbing to higher ground now represents an avoidance of unfortunate events and thus bring better fortune for the rest of the year.

Info on Festivals & Holidays provided by Home Net, Licensed Hong Kong Real Estate Agency.